Thomas has been named on the wing nine months after suffering a mini-stroke during Wales&#x2019; chaotic and controversial Six Nations campaign.

And Henson will reprise his centre partnership with the returning Tom Shanklin, who underwent major knee surgery after being forced home early from the Lions tour to New Zealand.

With dynamic Ospreys No8 Ryan Jones also back after shoulder surgery, all three will start their first Wales Tests since the Grand Slam-clinching victory over Ireland in March 2005.

&#x201c;We are strong,&#x201d; said Jenkins. &#x201c;We have got British Lion half-backs in Stephen Jones and Dwayne Peel. Gavin was a British Lion last year and Tom is coming back from injury and has looked good for the Cardiff Blues. &#x201c;We have got Gareth Thomas and Shane Williams outside them who both are British Lions. We have a lot of talent on the park.&#x201d;

The only players due to start on Saturday who did not feature for in the Grand Slam campaign are locks Ian Evans and Ian Gough, hooker Matthew Rees and blindside flanker Jonathan Thomas.

Henson, who underwent groin surgery after the Lions tour, has been playing at fly-half for the Ospreys this season and his selection ahead of in-form Llanelli Scarlets centre Gareth Evans surprised many.

But Jenkins explained: &#x201c;The position of number 12 in Wales is not one of our strongest positions. We have got two exciting young men in Gavin Henson and James Hook. We are well aware of their potential.

&#x201c;At this moment in time we feel as if Gavin has been playing some good rugby and we feel confident and comfortable to give him the opportunity.&#x201d;

Shanklin returns to the international arena after recovering from a career-threatening knee injury which forced an early return from the 2005 Lions tour.

The loose-head prop Gethin Jenkins was preferred to Duncan Jones.

But Wales have a problem at tight-head prop where Adam Jones got the nod to start despite hurting his ankle at the weekend, and Jenkins has been forced to drop Chris Horsman.

The WRU had agreed a deal with Worcester that Horsman would play against Australia on Saturday and New Zealand on November 25 but return to club duty for the two weeks in between.

But Premier Rugby instructed Worcester not to release Horsman because the Test falls outside the International Rugby Board&#x2019;s official window.

Jenkins may also be without Ospreys lock Brent Cockbain who looks set to miss Wales&#x2019; entire autumn international series after landing a 20-day ban for stamping.

An independent disciplinary committee yesterday found Cockbain guilty of stamping on Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe during the Ospreys&#x2019; 17-16 Heineken Cup victory over Sale on October 20.

The 31-year-old&#x2019;s ban ends on November 20, ruling him of the Tests against Australia, the Pacific Islanders and Canada.

He could return for Wales&#x2019; final match, against New Zealand on November 25, but a lack of match fitness means he is unlikely to figure.

Cockbain was omitted from the Wales squad to face the Wallabies on Saturday.

He has not played Test rugby for almost a year because of a hamstring injury sustained against Fiji last November.